Hartford sophomore FOGO Protesto (Penncrest) named Third Team All-American

Dylan Protesto (Penncrest, NCT LC) of the University of Hartford men’s lacrosse team received All-America laurels from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). Protesto, a sophomore, was named to the Division I USILA/Nike All-America Third Team as a faceoff specialist.

Dylan Protesto (Courtesy of Hartford Sports Information)

Protesto was a force inside of the faceoff circle all season for Hartford, which is coming off the program’s second America East Championship in 2016. He won 70.8 percent of his duels (272-for-384), marking the best single-season performance in Hartford history.

Protesto’s winning percentage at the X led the nation in Division I. In addition, his 151 ground balls in 2016 are the second-most in the Hawks’ record books, while his 8.39 per game are the fourth-most in the country.

He was also a threat offensively, finishing with a career-high seven points behind six goals and an assist.

Protesto’s most notable performances came during the America East Championship, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player after playing an integral role in the Hawks’ run through the postseason as the fourth seed. After going 20-for-24 in the circle in an upset win over fourth-ranked and top-seeded UAlbany in the semifinals, he added a key goal in the championship game two days later against Vermont. During that stretch, Protesto won 72.4 percent of his faceoffs and won 25 ground balls.

The awards have rolled in for Protesto this season. He claimed America East All-Conference First Team honors before he was named New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Second Team All-New England earlier this month.

Protesto is the sixth player in program history to receive All-America honors, and the first since Tim Fallon (Second Team) and Carter Bender (Honorable Mention) earned the distinction in 2011. Also a faceoff specialist, Fallon is Hartford’s lone repeat All-America recipient as he was an Honorable Mention pick in 2010.

Four other players from the America East were recognized by the USILA; Connor Fields (UAlbany), Ian MacKay (Vermont), Blaze Riorden (UAlbany) and Challen Rogers (Stony Brook) were each named to the Third Team. Nate Lewnes (UMBC), John Maloney (UAlbany) and Seth Oakes (UAlbany) received Honorable Mention laurels.

The Hawks’ memorable run came to an end in the preliminary round of the NCAA Tournament. Hartford fell to Quinnipiac, 14-9, to finish the season with an 11-7 overall record.